Statement by NY Renews on Climate Priorities for the Remainder of the New York State Legislative Session

Statement by NY Renews on Climate Priorities for the Remainder of the New York State Legislative Session

NY Renews — a coalition of over 170 environmental justice, labor, and community organizing groups across the state — today issued the following statement about the urgent need for bold climate legislation in 2019.

“Time is running out to act on climate. With just twenty five days remaining in the New York State legislative session, and just eleven years to begin a massive economic transformation to keep our planet liveable, we must take bold action now. The Legislature and the Governor need to work together to pass the Climate and Community Protection Act (CCPA, S2992/A3876) this session so we don’t lose a year in the battle against climate change.

When the federal government refuses to take action, it’s up to states like New York to lead the country on climate justice. The Climate and Community Protection Act sets an aggressive timeline to move our state off of fossil fuels. It centers equity and justice, by investing 40 percent of state energy funds into communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis, and by ensuring that green jobs pay family-sustaining wages.

The Climate and Community Protection Act is supported by a majority of State Senators, 60 Assembly members, and over 170 community, environmental, labor, and grassroots organizations in New York State. Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie have both named the CCPA as the way forward on climate for New York this session.

Sea level rise, heavier storms, and hotter summers will not come more slowly while Albany drags its feet on climate. We call on New York State’s elected leaders to pass the Climate and Community Protection Act this year.”

About the Climate and Community Protection Act:

The Climate and Community Protection Act is a landmark climate justice bill that creates a green economy while investing in good jobs and racial and economic justice. It establishes aggressive mandates to ensure New York achieves a 100% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the next 30 years, keeping the state in line with UN warnings to avoid catastrophic global warming. The CCPA also includes the country’s most progressive jobs and equity provisions of any green legislation in the country. Under the CCPA, 40% of state energy and climate funds used to propel the transition must be invested in low-income communities and communities of color. In addition, the CCPA would attach fair labor standards, including prevailing wage standards, to green projects receiving state funding.

The CCPA has passed the New York State Assembly in the past three legislative sessions by large margins, and is currently sponsored by a majority of State Senators. This year, both Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins have pointed to CCPA as the way forward for climate policy in NY.

About NY Renews:

NY Renews is a nonpartisan coalition of over 170 member organizations. The coalition seeks a sustainable future for the earth and its people, recognizing that climate change represents a threat to all and especially to vulnerable people such as workers, people of color, seniors, youth, and the poor. NY Renews believes that the climate crisis and the inequality crisis can be solved with the same set of policies, and that climate protection must serve as a means to challenge racial injustice and bring about greater economic equity.